Steps to a National Park |
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| Nature Canada Parks and Protected Areas Program The path to new national parks follows a six-step process. Only when all six steps have been accomplished is a wilderness or natural area fully protected as a national park. |
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 Identify Representative Natural AreasParks Canada continues to identify possible candidate national parks, called representative natural areas, within the unrepresented natural regions. Each must portray the diverse geological, geographical, and biological "characteristics" or features of the natural region, and must have experienced minimum human modification. Many of these areas were identified in the late 1970's and are the focus of current efforts to establish new national parks. For example, plans for new national parks in Labrador are focused on the Torngat Mountains and Mealy Mountains, identified in the 1970's as representative natural areas.  Select A Potential National ParkA potential national park - a kind of "best bet" - is chosen from the list of representative natural areas. It must include ecological units whose long-term protection is feasible, have potential for visitor use, and result in minimum long-term disruption of the social and economic life in the region. For example, the proposed Manitoba Lowlands national park was chosen from a list of 10 representative natural areas because of its superior natural values.  Assess The Feasibility Of The Proposed ParkThe potential national park site becomes the focus of a feasibility study, which involves other governments, aboriginal people and local communities that could benefit from the park. Public consultation helps to determine the degree of local, regional and national support, and the social and economic implications of a park. At this point a map of the park's proposed boundaries is released, and Parks Canada seeks public support for the site. If the results are positive, negotiations toward a formal park agreement can proceed. |
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Interim Protection For The Proposed ParkDuring the feasibility study, governments may give the proposed parkland temporary protection from logging, mineral staking, or other developments that would compromise the area's natural values. Work to create national parks such as Tuktut Nogait was complicated by the fact that mining companies staked portions of the proposed park. Interim protection measures prevent industrial developers from securing an interest in the area, and keep the cost of park establishment down by removing any need to compensate such companies should a park proposal proceed.  Negotiate A Final Park AgreementIf all parties agree to establish a national park, they commence formal negotiations on any agreement that sets out the terms and conditions under which the specific natural area will be designated a national ark. When new national parks are proposed in areas where local people have traditionally depended on the land for subsistence, a park agreement may provide for the continuation of harvesting activities. Commercial exploration and extraction or development of natural resources must be terminated before the park is formally established.  Establish A New National Park Through LegislationThe final step is for Parliament to formally approve the establishment of a new national park by describing its boundary in the National Parks Act. This can be done only if timber and mining are terminated and both the surface lands and sub-surface resources are transferred to the federal Crown. In areas where there is a land claim settlement, or where land boundaries as well as harvesting rights and the involvement of aboriginal peoples in a park management will be decided according to the terms of a land claim agreement. |
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2002-2014